St John’s Cathedral

An unparalleled place of culture in Brisbane, St John’s Cathedral is the largest and most striking religious building you will encounter on our tour. While the foundation stone was laid in 1901, it took a staggering 108 years to complete. Throughout this period, close collaboration took place between the clergy, the stonemasons, and, of course, the architects. The cathedral stands out with its neo-Gothic appearance, influenced by French architecture, and its materials are almost entirely local. Among them is Brisbane tuff, which gives the exterior its distinctive brown, pink, and even purple hues. But step inside to see a completely different style! Here, sandstone takes center stage, with its warm tones creating a harmonious effect. Several stained-glass windows, featuring hidden silhouettes of Australian animals, make this space even livelier. And for a fun detail: go see the 350-million-year-old fossils embedded in the pillars of the baptismal font—you know, those stone basins used for the sacrament of baptism. So, keep your eyes peeled, you never kow what you might discover!